DOHA, QATAR; ABU DHABI and DUBAI, UAE – Henning Larsen Architects of Denmark have been commissioned to design a sizable new headquarters building for a key Saudi organization. In order to study existing, similar projects in the Middle East, a small delegation representing the Saudi client traveled to Doha, Qatar and Abu Dhabi and Dubai, UAE.

Julian Chen, CTBUH Denmark Country Representative and architect at Henning Larsen Architects, escorted a group of architects, engineers, and client representatives, touring the Doha Tower, the Qatar National Convention Centre and the Qatar Foundation in Doha. These visits were arranged with the kind help of Shaukat Ali, CTBUH Qatar Representative who was present during the building visit to provide valuable assistance to the design team and their client.

Close up detail of Doha Tower's cladding

Both Doha Tower and the Qatar Foundation are characterized by small perforations in their cladding, optimized for the harsh desert climate, giving them a unique stippled appearance. Doha Tower was the winner of the CTBUH Best Tall Building Worldwide in 2012. The cylindrical form of the Doha Tower was decided upon for its efficiency in floor-to-window area and relative distances between offices and elevators. Additionally, the core of the building has been shifted off-center to allow more flexible floor area for the office spaces.